John Munson/The Star-LedgerJason Bay hopes he can resume activity this week and join the Mets soon.

NEW YORK -- It's been three weeks since outfielder Jason Bay landed on the disabled list after fracturing a rib on his left side and today he was to meet with a doctor to evaluate his progress.

Bay's physical activity has been limited to just biking, but he is optimistic that he will get the green light to begin rehabbing an injury that he was initially told would take between three and six weeks to return from.

"It feels a lot better. When I first did it, everything bothered me," Bay said before the start of tonight's game between the Mets and Brewers. "And now all the day-to-day stuff doesn't bother me; there are only a few movements.

"I kind of feel it's time we can start to do some stuff. I don't know if I can get on the field and crank out [batting practice] right now, but I feel like there's definitely progression and hopefully I can be ready pretty quick."

If all goes as plan, Bay will be cleared to resume some sort of activity beyond biking and head down to St. Lucie after the Mets' four-game homestand this week.

"That way I can actually go outside and consistently do everything," he said.

Manager Terry Collins shares Bay's optimism.

“My guess is, knowing Jason, as soon as he starts doing baseball activities he’ll get back pretty quick," Collins said. "He works so hard. So I would think if he could start this week, seven to 10 days from whenever he gets started would be my guess. Get him back in some baseball, some running form, and get him out on a rehab assignment where he can get some at-bats.”

During his DL stint, Bay also had to deal with a 24-hour flu bug, but he said it didn't set him back at all. If anything, it helped.

"I feel like it pushed me ahead oddly enough," Bay said. "I had the quick hitter, the 24-hour variety. I was sick all night, didn't feel good the next day then the day after I kind of felt back to normal. I kind of felt like that was actually a little breakthrough – no pun intended -- for my chest."

Prior to the injury, Bay was off to another disappointing start at the plate. He's hitting .240 with three home runs and five RBI in 15 games.

* * *Miguel Batista’s seven-inning, 108-pitch shutout performance Monday was impressive as is for a 41-year-old. He also happened to do it with a minor groin pull, which he suffered in a bullpen session “five or six” days ago.

After the game Batista said the pull is noticeable but isn’t painful. That’s why, he said, he was able to battle through it. However, a limp was noticeable and manager Terry Collins said he had to be convinced to let Batista pitch the seventh inning. Batista retired the side in order to end his night.

Batista said the doctor looked at it after the game and isn’t worried.

“It doesn’t get any better or worse,” Batista. “It feels the same way. I feel a pull but there’s no pain. The doctor looked at it and he said, ‘Let’s see how it feels tomorrow and just keep an eye on it.’ It should be OK.”